Ombudsman report sheds light on MATSEC struggles of students with autism, ADHD and dyslexia
A report penned by the Commissioner for Education within the Office of the Ombudsman highlights the issues faced by students with ADHD, autism or dyslexia with regard to current MATSEC arrangements. The report, by Professor Charles Farrugia, mentions difficulties faced by such students sitting for mathematics, Maltese and English exams.
People with such conditions tend to struggle to obtain the necessary marks in these three subjects. A table shows how only 28% of students with special needs obtained the necessary grade for the Maltese O Level. This contrasts with the 66% of other candidates who managed to obtain the desired marks.
Similarly, in the English Language exam, only 31% of the students with such conditions achieved the grades, while more than 63% of the other candidates made it to the exam threshold. In mathematics, things look more or less the same, with less than a quarter of those sitting for MATSEC exam passing. Farrugia listed a number of recommendations which could help improve the local educational scenario. The report recommends greater use of oral and multiple choice assessment methods. It also sheds light on the need for more training to invigilators. The way exams papers are printed might also make a difference. “Students with dyslexia tend to be disturbed by a bright, white paper. So if we simply change the quality of the paper to matt or sepia, things could get better. Such students are also very easily distracted. That is why we need to ensure that exam halls are completely silent,” he explained.
One recommendation looks into the use of the Maltese language in exams. The report suggests the restructuring of examination papers to emphasise the communicative aspect of language rather than the the linguistic side. “It is scientifically proven that these students struggle with spelling. So why do we keep making it hard for them to pass the exam? The Maltese language will not survive when it is no longer a requirement. It will die only when it is no longer used, which is not the case at the moment.”
The study comes after consultation with parents and educators.